H1/KH500/H2 750

Engine: 500/750cc two-stroke triples Weight: 150-165kg Top speed: 110-125mph Year: 1969-1980 Original 1969 500 nicknamed The Widow Maker and justifiably so with 60 horses on tap. Kawasaki spent most of the budget on the engine and then used a cheapened version of the 350 A7 chassis! Rearward weight distribution on early machines makes for interesting handling, while later examples handle better(ish). Motors detuned year-on-year to reduce pollution. KH500 is eminently practical (if still a little thirsty), the final H2 750C is genuinely nice to ride – but is not to be provoked.